Kozhikode is derived from the term ‘koyil kotta’ which means fortified palace.

Arab merchants - Kalikoot.

Tamils - kallikottai.
Chinese – Kalifo.
Although the city’s official name is Kozhikode, in English it is known as Calicut. In olden
days the city was also known by the name Vikramapuram.

500 BC-
· Division of Kerala into 64 gramas.
· The arrival of perumals – for better governing of the gramas.
· The periods witnessed the evolution of castes vyshas and shudras.

300 BC to 300 AD-

· Chera kings, Sangam literature was born during their reign. They were great patrons of
art and literature.
· They united at thirunavaya and appointed a king.
· The land where Kozhikode now stands was an uninhabited region of chera empire.
· The ports of the chera empire played an important role in fostering trade relations
between Kerala and the outside world.
· During 9th-century tyndis or tondi (present-day kadalundi or ponnani) to the south of
Kozhikode was a flourishing seaport.

300 AD to 800 AD
· Dark periods not analyzed by historians.
· Migration of brahmins from north India – a reason for all political instabilities in India.
700 AD
· Arabs – Malabar was known as Mali and Calicut as kalifat to Arab navigators. They
were mostly from Yemen or Oman, or Salalah.
· They were two distinct groups – one is from Arabia who calls themselves as thangals,
stayed here for 400 years. They are religious leaders. They exerted great influence over the
Muslim population.
· Trading communities mostly in the manufacture and sale of uru settlements, found in
Beypore.

800 AD to 1100 AD
· The kingdom was divided into many independent districts called ‘nadus’. With this
Kerala slipped into feudal setup.
· Cheraman Perumal embraced Islam and left for mecca. He appointed valluvanand raja
(konathiri) to preside over Thirunavaya assembly as Raksha purusha, governor of ernad who
was in forefront of the fight against chola- pandyas forces in the south. As a special mark of
manavikrams favor, the king granted him a small tract of land on the sea coast Kozhikode.
10th century AD
· Chinese – Chinese trade started between 967 – 1297. Pepper and dry ginger had a great
demand in China.
· Another item – Arabian opium – Chinese considered important and needed for their
medicines. Chinese brought silk and porcelain. They lived in the street now called silk street.
Zamorins rule –
· With the fall of chera empire, the nadu such as ernad and polanad gained freedom.
Originally Kozhikode region was under polathiris.
· 12th CENTURY AD – eradi conquered polanad and declared himself as zamorin and
the kingdom came to known as nediyiruppu swarupam – Kozhikode city was established.
· 1292 AD – Italian traveler Marco polo reached Kerala.
· 1341 AD – great flood leads to silting of Kodungallur port and it was closed down.
· 1342 – 1347 AD – Ibn Battuta visited Calicut.
· 1498 AD – Vasco da Gama reached Calicut.
Portuguese period –
· 1499 AD – Gama returned to Lisbon.
· 1502 AD – Gama’s second visit.
· 1524 AD – Gama’s third visit. He died here and was cremated at the St. Francis church
at fort cochin - Al Buquerque is regarded as the greatest of the Portuguese statements who
came to the east.
· 1510 AD – Portuguese built a fort at chaliyam, in the middle of zamorins territory fort.
· 1571 AD – the destruction of chaliyam fort.
· 1573 AD – kunjali built marakkar fort at Puthupattanam.
· 1586 AD – Marakkar defeats Portuguese in a naval battle.
16th century –
· Gujarati influence
– They were called as malvar banias and seths. Dealing in timber, coir, coconut, cloth. Food,
grain.
-Settled around present Gujarati street. Vishnu temple was called the haveli. Owned a large
number of establishments, in SM street and south beach road.
· Portuguese influence
-Portuguese introduced new agricultural products in India such as cashew nuts, tobacco,
custard apple, guava, pineapple, and papaya.
-Chavitunadakam – Christian counterpart of Hindu kathakali was introduced.
Dutch, French, British –
· 1600s – Dutch and French arrived around 1600.
Zamorin allowed the Dutch to trade in Calicut and sought their help to dive out the
Portuguese.
· 1710 AD – French settled here in 1710 – captain kneeling from Britain arrived in
Calicut, they agreed to assist zamorin to expel Portuguese. They faced opposition from the
French and Dutch.
· 1664 AD – English opened a factory in Calicut.
Mysore invasion –
· 1732, 1735, 1745, 1757, 1764 – invaded Calicut – zamorin, along with himself set fire
along with his palace. The city was occupied by Mysore palace which was camping in the
Palayam or cantonment area surrounding the palace.
· 1799 AD – Death of Tipu in the battle of Srirangapatanam.
18th century to 1947 –
· 1800 AD – The course of urbanization after 1800 AD in Calicut was determined by
British colonial economic policies and social attitudes.
· 1872 AD – the British governor-general decided to bring Malabar under the direct rule
of the company.
· 1947 AD – Independence.
1947 AD – 1960 AD –
· 1956 AD – After the formation of Kerala state in 1956, when Malabar district was
divided into three districts, the central district with headquarters at Calicut was named as
Kozhikode.
· 1957 AD – Kozhikode as a district came into existence on 1st January 1957.
1960 AD – 2000 AD-
· 1962 AD – Calicut elevated to the status of a corporation.
· 1979 AD – North Wayanad taluk was also made part of Kozhikode district.
· 1980 AD – The district, which initially had 5 taluks had undergone several changes and
the present district with 3 taluks was in existence from 1st November 1980. North Wayanad
and South Wayanad taluks were transferred from Kozhikode district.
· Now it is left with three taluks viz Vadakara, Kozhikode, and quilandy.
2000 AD to present –
· Calicut has become the commercial hub of Kerala due to the increase in foreign
investment in the district. This surplus investment changed the face of the city making it
prominent in all sectors ranging from trade to healthcare. This spontaneous development
made the city crowded than never before. The improved transportation facilities have
promoted generously to the growth of the city.

Evolution of Calicut
During the Sangam period, the land where Kozhikode now stands was an uninhabited region
of the chera empire. This land, part of the larger tamilakam partly fell within the kudanad
(western land – west of kongunad) to the south and partly within puzhinad (marshy tract) to
the north.
The dominion of the cheras extended as far as present-day Vadakara, beyond which lay the
kingdom of eli (ezhi). The ports of the chera empire played an important role in fostering
trade relations between Kerala and the outside world.
According to scholars, tyndis or tondi (present day kadalundi or ponnani) to the south of
Kozhikode was a flourishing seaport. During the 9th century, this region became a part of the
second chera empire. The cheras (also known as perumals) ruled the territory until 1102 CE.
Immediately following the fall of the Rama kulasekhara, Calicut and its suburbs formed part
of the Poland kingdom ruled by the porlatiri. The eradis of nediyiruppu in ernad (somewhere
around present kondotty) were land-locked and sought an outlet to the sea to initiate trade and
commerce with the distant lands.
To accomplish this, the eradis marched with their nairs towards panniankara and besieged the
polathiri in his headquarters, resulting in a 50-year war. The eradis emerged victorious in
their conquest of polanad. After this, menokkis were made as to the ruler of polanad and
came to terms with the troops and people. After this, the town of Calicut was founded close
to the palace at Tali.
Then, the eradis shifted their headquarters from nediyiruppu to Calicut. The governor of
ernad built a fort at a place called velapuram to safeguard his new interests. The fort most
likely lent its name to koyil kotta the precursor of Calicut.
With the conquest of polanad, the status of the utayavur (governor) increased and he became
to be known as swami nambiyathiri thirumulpad and the kingdom of Calicut also came to
know as nediyiruppu. The king’s title gradually evolved into samoothirippadu or samoothiri
or samoori over the years. The Europeans called him zamorin. The foundation of the city of
Calicut was therefore laid during the initial years of the 12th century.
Rise of Calicut – reasons
-Arab merchants looking for new harbour and patronage.
-Story of wealthy Arab merchants – gained the name of the city of truth.
-The advent of Chinese into the Arabian sea under the leadership of Cheng Ho.
-European demand for luxury goods in the wake of the renaissance.
-opening up of America for trade and adventure.

The rise of Calicut

The rise of Calicut as the capital of a flourishing centre of manufacturing and trade coincided
with the emergence of the benign rule of zamorins in the 12th century AD. It was known as
the ‘city of truth’ due to its reputation for honesty and fair trade – at a time when piracy and
plunder were generally acceptable. Over the past 800 years, Calicut witnessed the rise and
fall of the zamorin, the Portuguese, the Mysore kingdom and the British. These turbulent
times have left behind their record in the shape of monuments, documents, cultural practices,
and folklore. Much of this has been preserved for the sake of posterity.

The Kozhikode port was an important point in the famed silk route. The city witnessed a high
volume of international trade. One key feature attracted the traders to its city was the honesty
of the people of this city because of which the safety of the merchandise was assured. During
this period most of the cities were facing looting of merchandise and vandalism evident from
the ancient walled cities elsewhere in the country. Here in Kozhikode, the safety of
merchandise was the norm and hence elaborate security measures were not called for. This
has earned the city the title ‘THE CITY OF TRUTH’.

VASTU PLANNING PRINCIPLES

Vastu pattern follows certain rules in the allotment of separate zones for functional, cultural
and social groups. The geometric division of the town into 4 sectors (SE, SW, NE, NW) is
the first principle, where the reference point is the location of the ruler’s residence and
fortification.
As a general rule, brahmins reside in the north, kshatriyas in the east, Visayas in the south
and sudras in the west.
On the SE are the jewelers, blacksmiths and other artisans of this class.
Merchants, those given to gambling and dancers should stay in the south. E.g.: Chakyar
Madom. Those who live by pigs, sheep, and other animals and fishermen should stay in the
SW. The Muslim community has their settlement here. Kutirpanthi, kalari and kurukkal
madom on the west follows the rule that the western part is for charioteers and wielders of
weapons. NW side is for the servants. Foreign settlements are seen in this area. The northern
part is for palaces of recluses and brahmins (lots of madoms and aryan parambu). The army
chiefs and chief men of the king are to reside on the eastern part. Army resides on the NE.

“The city was planned in such a way that the SE part was occupied by the higher castes and
the royal family, and the SW was occupied by foreign traders. All foreign traders lived in
harmony in Calicut with the local people. it is said that zamorin declared liberty of religion
that there were houses which had people from a different religion as well. The Portuguese
ruined the cultural harmony of Calicut because of their greed for trade.” - Dr.M G S
Narayan.
Calicut was not an important trade port during that time. During the period of kulashekaras
and for more than a century after the fall of their empire, Calicut does not seem to have come
into existence as an important port town.
During this period, Calicut port was in the territory of Polathiri. But it wasn’t an important
international port. As an important town and port, it seemed to have come into existence only
sometime in the 13th century after the conquest of Polanad by eradis of nediyiruppu – the
ancestors of zamorins.

Spices and materials imported and exported

 Porcelain and silk from china.
 Salt cones from china.
 Cloves and nutmegs from the Moluccas.
 Cinnamon from Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
 Allspice from Carribean island.
 Pepper, ginger, and rubies from India.

Vasco da Gama discovered sea route to India – 1880 depiction.

Vasco da Gama before the zamorin of Calicut – 1898 depiction.
Coast of Calicut from James Forbes’s oriental memoirs, London, 1813.
19th century Portuguese painter Jose Veloso – 1828 (Zamorin of Calicut).
1898 depiction of Zamorin of Calicut.
Vasco da Gama leaving Portugal, mural by John Henry Auschwitz – 1936.

12th century – 1498 (zamorin’s era)

Calicut was formed in 1102 AD as a port city, planned by the zamorins according to the
Vaastu principles. Flourished as a major seaport on Malabar coast trading with Arabs,
Chinese and people from India until the entry of Europeans in 1498.
The structures built were religious buildings, temples, mosques, residences which followed
the local architecture in the form with minor religious influences.

PICTURES

1498- 1792 (zamorins with Europeans and Mysore kings’ rule)

Vasco da Gama landed on Kappad beach in 1498 opening the sea route to India and pepper
country for the Europeans. Portuguese interfered with the Arab trade and administration
causing political instability. Portuguese were followed by Dutch (1663), French and British
(1615). Mysore kings ruled the area from 1766 – 1792 causing many destructions to Hindu
temples.

PICTURES

1792 – 1947 (British rule)

Calicut was the headquarters of Malabar district of madras constituency. Canoly canal which
became a major waterway transportation system was constructed under the command of
Calicut collector H.V. Connolly along with many new roads and Calicut railway station
established to improve trade and communication within the district. Many educational
institutes were established. Mappila rebellion in 1921 was an uprising against the British and
Hindu landlords by the Mappilas marks a significant place in the history of Kozhikode and
Malabar.

PICTURES

After independence
After obtaining independence in 1947 from British rule Calicut joined the state of Kerala
formed in 1951. Kozhikode district is bordered by the districts of Kannur to the north,
Wayanad to the east, and Malappuram to the south. Today the district of Kozhikode consists
if four taluks: Kozhikode, Vadakara, Koyilandy, and Thamarassery.

PICTURES

A CHRONOLOGICAL MAP OF CALICUT

1000 AD – 1600 AD
The phase of transition began with reform of coastal land of the present-day Kozhikode,
where the pivotal role lies between the chiras. This has formed as a result of the settlement
due to trade activities. The chiras have a connection between religion, culture, and commerce.
The most important religious buildings like Mother of God Cathedral, Muchundi Mosque,
Mishkal mosque, Juma masjid are still some of the heritage landmarks of Calicut.

PICTURES

1600 AD – 1800 AD
During this period, Calicut was a world-famous port and had trade relationship from almost
all other famous ports. Due to this, many inland and foreign settlements came up in the city
nearby the coastal area. These settlements have brought many units of different languages
together. The city was in a peaceful condition until the inland and foreign invasion. As a
result, many of the zamorins palaces and other buildings were ruined.

PICTURES

1800 AD – 1900 AD
Even after the war that happened for a century, the trade relationship of Calicut continued
until the 20th century. During this period, the city was under the control of colonial reign.
They expanded the city and they built many structures like railway tracks, bridges, and many
public buildings. The introduction of the railway had a great impact on the cultural and
religious aspects of the people. S M Street, Valiyangadi and Comtrust are two important
centers during this period.

PICTURES

1900 AD – PRESENT
During the 20th and 21st century, Calicut witnessed many drastic changes and events. It was
during this period, India got independence and started up with a new constitution. As a result,
the trade route via Calicut port reduced and gradually, it came to an end by the late 20th
century. Therefore, people started to shift from the coastal regions and spread across the
different part of the city. Due to this and also due to technological advancement, Calicut city
got a new phase.

PICTURES

THE CHIRA
Manachira, Kuttichira, and Tali are the main water sources in Calicut at present. These tanks
were built during the 14th century and it reminds the glorious past of the city. The area
surrounding the chiras are either used for religious activities or administrative purpose.
Therefore, the chiras and the surrounding areas together constitute the major heritage zones
of Calicut.

PICTURES

STREETS
The streets in Calicut such as Silk Street, Valiyangadi, Gujarati street, Halwa bazar, Jooda
bazar have got its unique characteristics in its architecture and its function. As the trade
through port declined, people started to shift to different parts of the city in search of better
jobs.
As a result, many heritage structures became vacant and started to function as godowns and
some of them slowly transformed into abandoned structures.

PICTURES

INLAND SETTLEMENT
Some part of the city has inland settlements. These have its unique architectural features that
blend with the traditional architecture of Kerala. These areas have great potential for tourism
as they exhibit different culture. The Parsi settlement, Brahmin settlement, Gujarati
settlement, and Jain settlement are some of the important heritage inland settlements of
Calicut.

PICTURES

FOREIGN SETTLEMENT
Calicut city as a port influenced many foreigners to the city. As their trade got flourished
many foreigners settled near the coastal areas of Calicut. The zamorin gave them land to
construct their religious buildings in the city, which brought new architectural styles. Most of
the structures are now in dilapidated condition and require urgent conservation.

7th century
The Sangam age was the age of literature and poetry in southern India, known as the
tamilakam. Literature flourished from the 3rd century BCE to the 4th century BCE during
this time, and Calicut rose in regional importance. Many significant Hindu temples were built
in Calicut, including the azhakodi, Bhairagimadom, Bilathikulam, Tali, Trivannur, and
Varakkal temples.

The spread of Islam in Kerala was mainly through the Arab traders who reached the Malabar
coast. From the 7th century onwards the religion attained deep roots in the cultural history of
the state. Many mosques of the northern parts of Kerala are centuries old.

12th – 13th century

Calicut came up as a port city.
Calicut port did not exist before the founding of the zamorin dynasty in the 12th – 13th
centuries. Malabar as a maritime destination was, however, well-known for its spice trade.
Ibn Battuta who reached Calicut in 1342 describes Calicut as the most important port of
Malabar.

14th century
In 1498, the Portuguese discovered the trading route through Calicut important in the west,
especially in Europe.
The Chinese sailor Ma Huang glorify the city as a great emporium of a trade by merchants
from around the world.

17th century
The Mysoreans completely occupied and transformed Malabar into an organized political
unit, made sweeping changes in agriculture and land relations, trade, communications, and
dictated peace by which the unruly chieftaincies were eliminated.

18th – 19th century

It was caste-based and custom bound and occupations were linked to caste identity. It was a
highly stratified society with regional variations.
Control over land and production came to the hand of namboothiris. The expenses of
education including food and accommodation were met by the temple, art forms like kuthu,
kudiyattam, sculpture, painting also evolved and was encouraged.
Trades through the port gradually diminished, in the meanwhile, the railway system was
introduced in Calicut, also road network started to develop which was the next leap in trade.

21st century
The social renaissance took place in Kerala in the second half of the 19th century and the
early decades of the 20th century were the cause o the political awakening.
The changes took place in society as a result of the impact of various socio-religious reform
movements.
The new economic forces generated during the British period and socio-religious reform
movement initiated by the saints and reformers led to some fundamental changes in the caste
system. Caste has been the central factor of the social structure. It was a complex, deep-
rooted and highly organized system which had suffocated the masses for centuries.
Kerala was released from intellectual isolation and was exposed to western civilization during
the 19th century through Christian missionaries and western English education.
ART FORM

Kalarippayattu
The martial and healing art of Kerala to 6th century. Through a traditional system of bodily
and mental development, this art seeks to cultivate not only a powerful physical warrior but
more importantly, a person of deep inner self-knowledge and humility.

Thidambu Nirtham
Ritual dance performed in the temples of north Malabar. This is one among the many rich art
traditions of north Malabar. North Malabar is renowned for its deep-rooted culture and
tradition and is home to several religious and ritual art forms including the famous and
popular Theyyam.

Krishnanattam
Krishnanattam owes its existence to the powerful zamorin rulers of Calicut who held power
at the beginning of the 9th century. The zamorins were not only great rulers but also men of
learning, literature and different kind of art. Krishnanattam became very popular during the
reign of the zamorins.

Music
There were three types of music which flourished in Kerala in the zamorins period: classical
music, Malayalam music, and Mappila music.

Kathakali
Staging of krishnanattam is an important offering in the Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayur. It
was believed that kathakali was conceived from krishannattam the dance drama on the life
and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Zamorin of Calicut.

Music
Art forms like kuthu, Kudiyattam, sculpture, painting also evolved and were encouraged
influences, Muslim art forms flourished widely.

IMMIGRATION OF CALICUT
Ancient phase refers to the moment before the religionist era, posterior to 4000BC
1100 BC to 500 BC prehistoric period. Most important pieces of evidence are burials.
From 300 BC to 300 AD Sangam period rules of 1st cheras.
300 AD to 800 AD dark period not analysed by historians this was no direct shreds of
evidence.
During AD 800 there was brahmin migration (according to the historians this was the root
cause of all social evils in Kerala).
From 800 AD to 1100 AD 2nd chera (kulashekara) period 1100 AD – Arabs settled.
From 1100 AD to 1498 AD – dark period, the origin of swarupams.
Venad, Perumpadappu, Nediyiduppu, Koolathunaatu.

Trade and immigrati0on helped in the growth of religious settlement in Calicut. The religious
settlement started during 800 AD by the migration of brahmins to Tali and neighboring
places. During chera-kulashekara period 1100AD period Arab settlement started and they
settled around kuttichira. And due to oversea and regional trade brahmins, Jews, Chinese,
Gujaratis, and Parsis settled all around Calicut and enhanced and commerce for over 500
years.

Religious settlements (1400 AD – 1800 AD)

9th century
Jews (Israel)
They came in exile from Israel after the destruction of the second temple during the exodus.

1206 AD
Gujarat (Limbodar, Patola)
Export: coir, timber, coconut, and grains
Imported: vessels
Established Gujarati school, theatre, medical shop, and printing press.

1806 AD
Parsi (Bombay, Iran)
Fear of conservation to Islam. Later in engaged in the timber trade.
Export timber, ivory, pepper, cinnamon, and spices, tiles, halwa.

Chettiar (Nagapattanam)
Accountants
Cotton, vegetables, pappad
Printing press

16th century
Konkanis (konkan)
Trade, coppersmith, goldsmith

Exports: flavored and aromatic leaves and fruits, spices.

Imports: vessels and jewelry

Tamil Nadars
Cloth merchants, clocks, messengers, money lenders they were protestants.
4th century BC – 1st century AD
Ethiopia (Askumite empire)
Imports: ivory, tortoiseshell, gold, emeralds, slaves.
Exports: silk, spices.

2nd AD to 500 AD
Egypt
Exports: teak, black pepper, coconut, batik cloth, sailcloth, basketry, and matting

KUTTICHIRA
In kuttichira – chiras or pond forms the focal point of the settlement with the three major
mosques situated in next to it along an axis. The axis which connects the mosques to the pond
acts as the public realm with markets. The road divides into narrow lanes which leads to the
private zones to the residences.
The common features seen in kuttichira Muslim settlements are:
The main mosques: Jama Masjid and Mishkal mosque.
Souks or market – halwa street and valiyangadi
Residential quarters: tharavadu
Street networks: connecting private zones to public zones.
Exterior: cemetery located outside the settlement called karaparambu kabaristan.

MANACHIRA
Manachira is a man-made freshwater pond situated in the city of Kozhikode in Kerala. The
manachira square is being maintained by the city corporation. It is meticulously landscaped
with lawns, trees, plants, an artificial stream and hill, sculptures and an open-air theatre. The
square is surrounded by public buildings like the town hall, school, Comtrust, Public Library.

S M STREET
Almost 200 years back Parsis settled in Kozhikode and engaged themselves in various trade.
They build a temple at S M Street which is named as ‘Fire temple’. This was built in the early
19th century and renovated in 1920. Adjacent to it exists their burial grounds and today this
cemetery is used by their community in Kannur, Coimbatore, cochin, and Ooty.
The narrow long mittayi theruv behind kottaparamba, linking the valiyangadi with manachira
lay adjacent to the original palace complex on its western side. This street might be able to
claim a history more than 500 or 600 years, as long as that of the sweet loving gujarathi
traders who are mentioned as kunjarathikal in the keralolpathi chronicle, family, nobility and
distinguished guests.

TALI
Tali temple settlement was founded by the brahmin community under the leadership of
zamorin of Calicut. Tali brahmana samoham who settled around tali pond manage the tali
shiva temple for 2 centuries and more, who migrated from Tamil Nadu and settled in Calicut.

Gujarati SETTLEMENT
The alliance of Gujarati traders with the zamorin of Calicut originated in the 6th- 7th century.
The settlement grew around the already existing Arab Bazaars and Dutch markets, 50 – 100m
from the sea.
In the 1800s, several ambitious entrepreneurs migrated to Calicut and brought along with
them laborers for assistance. A little taste of success and arrival of money urged the now rich
merchants to bring their very big families to Calicut. Over time, they built a temple and
modest houses for their laborers, within the temple complex.
Havelis converted to temples because of Muslim dominated region, setting up of temples was
quite difficult, which led to the evolution of Havelis as Gujarati temples.

1100 BC
Sangam age
The Calicut district formed part of the chera empire. It played a leading part in fostering trade
relations between Kerala and outside world. Tondi,, the present Kadalundi as per scholars,
was one of the most flourishing seaports of Kerala that time.
Post-Sangam age which considered to be the Dark age in south India’s history.

9th – 13th century

Calicut became a part of the second chera empire. Zamorins came to Calicut. Interestingly,
the name Calicut is derived from ‘calico’, the fine variety id hand-woven cotton cloth said to
have originated from this place, which was then important manufacture. Kozhikode passed to
British rule in 1792.

14th – 15th century

By the beginning of the 15th-century Kozhikode had developed into a great emporium of
international trade. Malabar became the focal point in pepper trade. Kozhikode was famous
for its trade with China. Its port was so large as to hold the massive Chinese fleet. The
Chinese travelers refer to the fine quality horses imported to Kozhikode. The spice traders of
Kozhikode insisted on payments in gold and silver.

16th - 19th century

The very presence of these money-changers and brokers indicate a brisk trade involving
foreign peoples and foreign currencies.
The Chinese ships found at the port of zaitun were bound for the Malabar coast. These ships
from the east brought copper in ballast, gold, silver, silk, items of clothes, spikenard, etc. to
the Malabar coast and took with them pepper, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, buckram (a kind of
cotton fabric), etc.

21st century
The old trades like copra, coir have all declined substantially. The trade-in Valiyangadi has
flourished over time. The spices are still in demand and supply the best food grains to a
different part of Kerala. Valyangadi is the largest open market in Kozhikode. Palayam market
has also flourished into a full-fledged vegetable market. S M street converted to textile zones,
shoemart, and sweet shops. S M street was recently modified towards the end of 2017. The
drainage system and electrical wirings designed and arranged as underground lines.

SILK STREET
The city’s multicultural and trade-savvy past is its street names. A ‘silk street’ still exists, but
conjuring up images of Chinese traders haggling with the local people will solely depend on
one’s imagination. All that is left here are old bungalows restored to be restaurants, carpet,
and antique shops.
The present scenario draws another view of the street. The people could not sustain the
ancient culture of silk street. Earlier, trade was the main activity happening in silk street.
Nowadays the trade does not exist. In the present situation, the buildings are abandoned or
are used as godowns.

S M STREET
The street got this name by from the Europeans, in earlier times, the street was filled with
Kozhikodan halwa shops. With a history of more than 500 years. This street has been visited
by several people including Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch. The street also witnessed
the emigration of Gujarati’s to Calicut.

VALIYANGADI
The trade hub that attracted merchants from China, Italy, Arab kingdoms and other lands in
the 15th century.
The introduction of railways in 1888 gave a fillip to trade at valiyangadi initially. The rail
line sliced through the valiyangadi supermarket, derailing the traditional maritime trade in the
port city, and that even killed a nearby river.
PRESENT SCENARIO
The trade-in valiyangadi has flourished over time. The spices are still in demand and supply
the best food grains to different parts of Kerala. Valiyangadi is the largest wholesale market
in Kozhikode.
PALAYAM
Palayam market is the largest market in Kozhikode, vegetables, and fruits are imported from
nearby states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Income in the market per day
during summer seasons would be around 20,000 per day.
There are more than 190 shops in the market area with over 900 employees and 300 porters
which comes under the trade union. Higher density can be absorbed in this area due to the
presence of the market and because of its economic influence most of the commerce.